Late summer also means that back-to-school is on the horizon: new backpacks, art supplies, sharpened pencils, and quizzes. This is where The Bullard Edge comes into play. We have an early, short pop quiz to get you into the back to school mindset.

The topic is protected classes. In an employment context, discrimination is unlawful when carried out because of a characteristic that is protected by the law (e.g., race or gender). A characteristic may be protected under federal law, state law, and/or local law. For this quiz, we will give you three options and you simply have to identify the one option that is not a protected class. It should be easy and fun (if a teacher said that I would not believe it). Here is the question.

Which of the following is not a protected class?

Olympians

Democrats and Republicans

Vegans

A look at Rio’s green pool:
The quiz question is very short and straightforward. Nevertheless, in order to make sure that you all have time to noodle over it, here is a great view of the green diving pool in Rio, which is next to the still blue swimming pool.

Answers:

(a) Olympians

Yes. Olympians are protected against discrimination under Oregon law. Pursuant to ORS 659.865, it is unlawful for an employer to “infringe in any manner on the right of an athlete to compete in or train for any athletic event duly sanctioned by the national governing body for that sport as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee.” Further, the law also bars an employer from taking adverse action against an employee who “participat[es] in any athletic event duly sanctioned by the national governing body for that sport as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee.”

It is unclear whether the law assumes a “realistic shot” requirement or whether it requires “conventional” training methods. I assume that an employee will find no protection if he or she misses work in connection with a revolutionary carbo loading game film training approach (in other words, pizza on the couch watching NBA League Pass).

(b) Democrats and Republicans

Qualified yes. Public employees are protected by federal law, as well as the laws in some states or municipalities from adverse action based on political affiliation. Specifically, pursuant to the federal Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 certain personnel actions cannot be based on attributes or conduct that do not adversely affect employee performance, such as political affiliation.

(c) Vegans

No. “Vegan” is not a protected class under the law. While an individual who adopts a vegan diet or lifestyle for religious or medical reasons may be protected against discrimination because of religion or disability, that individual is not protected simply based on being a vegan.

This interpretation of the law has been thrust into the spotlight recently. As reported by Oregonlive.com, a well-known Portland doughnut shop placed a help wanted advertisement seeking server/barista. In the basic requirements section the employer stated: “No non-medical, non-religious dietary restrictions that would stop you from tasting, accurately representing our food and maintaining quality control to maintain the highest standards of food safety and excellence. We serve products with meat (including bacon) nuts, diary and our doughnuts contain wheat gluten.”

The job posting created a bit of a mini-furor. For example, one online commenter wrote: “Wow! To not hire otherwise qualified workers, because they make a particular dietary choice is unfair.” These and other negative reactions miss the point. The employer did not say that it would not reasonably accommodate religion or medical condition. To the contrary, it said that in the absence of a religious or medical reason an employee in the position advertised will be expected to taste the non-vegan-friendly doughnuts. (The Bullard Edge is mostly convinced in the right approach of the employer, although we may need to go onsite for some closer investigation into these doughnuts.)

Hopefully you all did well on the quiz. Now, while there is still time, we suggest you get back to watching the Olympics. Best regards,